NBA Player News

Four of Houston’s five starters are on the injury report for Monday’s game, with Jalen Green being the lone absentee. Since Fred VanVleet (ankle) is out, Thompson and Sengun will have additional playmaking responsibilities if available. Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green are two players who may be asked to do more if Thompson or Sengun cannot play against the Thunder. They have provided limited value when allowed to play extended minutes.

Saraf has logged five straight appearances, and he’ll play through a back issue against the Grizzlies. He’s likely to handle his usual allotment of minutes, but Saraf isn’t doing enough in the box score to be viable in season-long fantasy leagues.

Both guards are late additions to Monday’s injury report, and fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in case George and Collier are sidelined. If the pair of elite playmakers sit out against Golden State, EJ Harkless could start at point guard, while Svi Mykhailiuk could see additional run behind Cody Williams.

Bridges’ scoring output has decreased since the All-Star break, and his season-long fantasy value has suffered. Including Sunday’s performance, he’s averaged 12.6 points per game on 40 percent shooting since the break. Add in Bridges shooting 66.7 percent from the field and limited production in assists, steals and blocks, and his post-break value sits well outside the top-100. Bridges should still be rostered in most leagues regardless of format, but fantasy managers hope he can turn things around in Week 20.

One game removed from dropping 27 points in a loss to the Heat, Knueppel was limited to 15 on Sunday. One subpar performance doesn’t erase the overall body of work, and the rookie remains one of the best first-year players in fantasy basketball. Knueppel will look to rebound when the Hornets visit the Trail Blazers on Tuesday, the first of three games they’ll play in Week 20.

For the first time since the All-Star break, Ball has scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games. While he shot 4-of-12 from beyond the arc, the overall efficiency was good. Ball shot just under 50 percent from the field and kept the turnovers in check, committing two. The Hornets continue their road trip with three games in Week 20, starting with a back-to-back against the Trail Blazers and Kings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

With no Dillon Brooks or Grayson Allen, there was room for Fleming to play 23 minutes off the bench on Sunday. And the rookie took advantage of his opportunity, recording season-highs in points and three-pointers. While Fleming did not record any defensive stats, he was solid when called upon to defend Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Sunday’s performance won’t change much regarding Fleming’s short-term fantasy value, but he’s a player worth keeping an eye on in dynasty formats.

At this point, not much that Gillespie does comes as a surprise. The Suns guard had another excellent night on Sunday, with the 24 points being the most in a game for him since dropping 30 in a February 3 win over the Trail Blazers. Gillespie’s rise from a player looking to lock down a rotation spot to solidifying himself as the Suns’ starting point guard should put him in Most Improved Player conversations. The Suns and fantasy managers have reaped the rewards.

Booker’s ability to get to the foul line paid dividends on Sunday, as the Suns guard made all 15 of his attempts. Add in the assists, and Booker finished with his second 30-point, 10-assist game of the season. Since the All-Star break, he’s shot 40 percent from the field, which has lowered Booker’s fantasy value in the short term. Clean up that category, and Booker is well-equipped to approach the heights that many fantasy managers thought he would before the season began.

Having scored at least 20 points in three of his last four games, Green has averaged 17.6 points per game since the All-Star break. However, he’s still working to find his groove, as evidenced by the Suns guard shooting 35.3 percent from the field during this stretch. The Suns hit the road for all three of their games in Week 20, starting with the Bucks on Tuesday.

Walker, who has been a fixture in the Pacers’ starting lineup since just before the All-Star break, rolled his ankle late in Sunday’s defeat. The third-year forward logged 30 minutes by that point, but the injury may be an issue for deep-league managers hoping to derive some value from Walker during the silly season. The Pacers’ four-game Week 20 ends with three games over the final four days, starting with a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. Keep an eye out for Walker’s name on the Pacers’ injury report ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Kings.